Have you ever woken up after a night of poor sleep, glanced in the mirror and thought, “I look tired?” You’re not imagining it. I am a neurologist who specializes…
Tag: stress
Astrocyte Disruption Tied to Depression After Childhood Stress
Summary: Researchers have shown that astrocytes in the lateral hypothalamus play a pivotal role in how stress shapes behavior, particularly after early-life adversity. In mice, stress led to smaller, less…
Chronic Stress Sends Immune Cells to Brain, Driving Depression
Summary: A new study shows that chronic stress causes immune cells called neutrophils to leave bone marrow in the skull and collect in the brain’s protective membranes, where they contribute…
Adding more green space to a campus is a simple, cheap and healthy way to help millions of stressed and depressed college students
Stress on college students can be palpable, and it hits them from every direction: academic challenges, social pressures and financial burdens, all intermingled with their first taste of independence. It’s…
How Stress Types Differently Impact Brain and Behavior
Summary: Stress is a universal experience, but not all stress affects the brain in the same way. A new study in rats reveals that acute stress provokes anxiety-like behaviors, especially…
Women’s Scent During Ovulation Alters Male Stress and Attraction
Key Questions Answered Q: What did the study find about female body odor during ovulation?A: Researchers identified three specific scent compounds that increase during ovulation and found they made armpit…
Dogs are helping people regulate stress even more than expected, research shows
In a 2022 survey of 3,000 U.S. adults, more than one-third of respondents reported that on most days, they feel “completely overwhelmed” by stress. At the same time, a growing…
Neurons Store Backup Energy to Power the Brain Under Stress
Summary: New research has uncovered that neurons store their own glycogen, acting as “backup batteries” to keep the brain functioning during energy stress. Using worms and advanced biosensors, scientists found…
Anxious Mondays Leave Lasting Mark on Stress
Summary: A new study reveals that anxiety felt on Mondays uniquely elevates stress hormones, even in retirees, with potential consequences for heart health. Researchers found older adults who reported Monday…
Chronic stress contributes to cognitive decline and dementia risk – 2 healthy-aging experts explain what you can do about it
The probability of any American having dementia in their lifetime may be far greater than previously thought. For instance, a 2025 study that tracked a large sample of American adults…
